
By Patrick Lujan
It’s a small MMA organization but it’s a championship belt, nevertheless.
Guam native Joe Gogo took a championship fight on two days notice and came out victorious, earning a second round submission to earn the International Thai Boxing Organization (ITBO) featherweight championship in Ensanada, Mexico at the San Nicholas Hotel and Casino.
“I was a replacement for one of my teammates that suffered an injury in camp,” the 25-year-old told GSPN. “They asked me Thursday evening right before I was gonna clock in at work. I woke up Friday morning and had to lose eight pounds before 12 pm for the weigh ins. Luckily the fight was already set for a catch weight of 140, so I didn’t have to go down to 135 lbs.”

Two Jofis: Baby Joe Taimanglo was ringside for his cousin’s championship bout in Mexico. (courtesy photo)
Fighting in Mexico wasn’t any different for Gogo, who is used to being the underdog “simply because nobody knows me.”
“The fight went well. I could tell I was the superior striker from the get-go as I landed leg kicks and kicks to his head. Eventually he took me down and went for submissions, I defended them and got back to my feet then took him down ending the first round with ground and pound.
“Second round came, I landed a few combinations and right as he ducked his head to avoid them I through a heavy knee that opened his face up. I was going for the knockout but he did a good job at wrestling so I was able to land more shots. Eventually I took him down and landed some elbows, he turned away from them and that’s when I took his back and choked him.”
In his corner was none other than first cousin Baby Joe Taimanglo, who crossed the border from his training grounds of San Diego to support his primo.
“Having Baby Joe is very important because we grew up together and we train everyday together,” Gogo added. “He knows me. I had a lot of confidence going in there because I go to war with my cousin regularly and he’s one of the best. Plus, I train at Alliance MMA with Dominick Cruz and other UFC vets.”
Gogo is still new in the MMA game, improving to 2-0, and says smaller shows like this is a stepping stone to get into the UFC.
The last time Gogo was on Guam was last November for a family funeral.


GPS Sports Calendar
March 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
28th
Events for March
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
Events for March
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
4th
35th RAINBOWS FOR ALL CHILDREN 3.5 MILER
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
Events for March
5th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 3
Events for March
5th
Events for March
6th
Events for March
7th
Events for March
9th
Events for March
11th
GSPN PRESEASON BOYS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT DAY 1
Bank of Guam Block Party 5K
Events for March
12th
Events for March
13th
Events for March
14th
Events for March
15th
Events for March
17th
World Athletics Indoor Championships
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
18th
PAY-LESS KICK THE FAT 5K/10K
World Athletics Indoor Championships
Events for March
19th
Events for March
21st
Events for March
25th
MARIANAS OPEN PRO JAPAN TOURNAMENT
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
26th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 4
Events for March
28th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
30th
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Events for March
31st
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO

Jiu-Jitsu
MARIANAS OPEN TO TAKE OVER TOKYO
COMING SOON …
- 4th Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
Guam MTB National Championship: Edward Oingerang and Jennifer Camacho are your 2023 MTB national champions. Oingerang finished the course in 1:13:24 while Camacho won her second straight title in 54:08.
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Kobe Miyashita, with St. John’s coach Arvin Flores, was named the 2023 IIAAG Middle School Boys Volleyball MVP!